It was a bit rainy again this morning but we managed to get everything packed up in between showers. After Mary-Anne got back from filling her jerry can and gas bottle we hit the road and headed for Camooweal. The road was exceptionally good and after leaving the hilly country around Mt Isa we drove through open grazing land that once again stretched to the far horizon. Camooweal is a quaint little place in the middle of nowhere. We went to the Post Office and collected mail that had been forwarded for us. We now have new drivers licenses, a new RACQ card and my rego label. Mary-Anne's mail was not there but she arranged for it to be sent to Alice Springs. The lady in the Post Office was so nice, nothing was a bother for her. After a short stop in Camooweal it was onto the border crossing into the Northern Territory a few kms out of town. We stopped and took some obligatory photos and then headed off again. The country is so open and storms filled all horizons. We drove through a few small rain showers and eventually arrived at Avon Downs Rest Area. We found a good site not far from the toilets and set up camp. Some time ago I had promised to cook Mary-Anne some authentic Australian Spaghetti bolognaise and Karen volunteered me to cook it tonight. I outdid myself this afternoon and even I had to admit it was the best mince I have ever cooked. The spaghetti wasn't bad either. The bourbon with it was even better. After tea we relaxed and enjoyed the scenery and the sounds of distant thunder. An early night is planned.
17/3/2012
No rain this morning but very windy and overcast. Michael is now called Captain Heartless because he wouldn't help a couple of male backpackers who had run out of petrol at Avon Downs and Mary-Anne and I are called Mother Hens because we would have liked to give them some of our precious spare fuel. Captain Heartless said NOOOOOO!!! We must add that there was a Police Station directly across the road from the Rest Area where we were staying. Captain Heartless said that the police should be the first port of call for stranded motorists. We packed up and were on the road by 9.00am and heading for the Barkly Homestead and Roadhouse about 200kms west. We had morning tea at Wonarah Rest area in between rain showers and gusty wind. But the cuppa's were nice and the stretch of the legs was good. With only 40kms to travel after leaving the Rest Area we arrived at Barkly Roadhouse at about midday. We refuelled ($1.99.9 for diesel and $1.97.9 for ulp). Then we paid for two caravan powered sites under huge shady trees. It was $28 each. The shade is a bonus as our air conditioner is working overtime. Mary-Anne doesn't feel the heat and has all her windows open. We plan an early tea and early to bed, in air conditioned comfort!!! Karen will probably put her electric blanket on. Today is St Patrick's Feast Day. Thanks to Veronica we all enjoyed some chocolates to celebrate. (Appearently it negates the fasting for Lent and chocolates are OK, Mary-Anne assures me!!). Tomorrow we are heading for Tennant Creek.
Looking back towards the smoke stack of the Mt Isa Mine (far left corner)
Which way to go? Karen and Mary-Anne said 'Go West Young Man!!'
Morning tea on the way to Camooweal
At the border before crossing into the Northern Territory
Relaxing after a beautiful tea at Avon Downs Rest Area
Barkly Homestead and Roadhouse NT
What a top spot at the caravan park at the Barkly Homestead
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